Past, Present, and Future (a sequel to Extraction)

Chapter 1: Issues

Note: I do not own Inception. This story takes place after my story Extraction. I mention characters from Extraction, so you really should probably read it before reading this story.

I want to send a shout out to musicchica10 whose own Inception fan fictions really inspired me to write this little continuation to Extraction. What started as just a silly little fluff continuation to Extraction has evolved into something a little more solid. Not nearly as action packed as Extraction, but I think as a sort little sequel it does Extraction justice.

I warn you now that Arthur and Ariadne may seem out of character, but I feel like that is only because I am exploring sides to their characters that we didn't get to see in the movie.

Originally this sequel was 8 chapters long, but now it is 10 as inspiration hit me the other day and I changed a few things around.

Now on with the story!

"You look down in the dumps," Ariadne's good friend Sara commented. The architect nodded as she took a seat across from her friend on the small patio just outside of the quaint little coffee shop they had agreed to meet at.

"Yeah, kind of," the girl sighed as she set her purse on the ground beside the small metal chair she was now situated in.

"What's up? I would have thought you'd be less gloomy now that school's off for the summer. I mean, more time to spend with the boyfriend right?" Sara teased Ariadne and raised her eyebrows suggestively as she spoke the last part.

Ariadne chuckled. "Well, he just hopped on a plane for Egypt. A friend of his down there wanted to consult with him about something or other for a job."

"Ah, so no sex for awhile then. I guess that's a good reason to be depressed," Sara declared as she sipped her steaming hot beverage.

"He should only be gone for a few days, but what really annoys me is he didn't even let me know until this morning when he was practically running out the door to catch his plane," Ariadne hissed as she glared into her coffee cup.

"That's a little rude," Sara agreed.

"I mean, I guess he only found out last night about the job, but still, a little more notice would have been appreciated."

"At least you have a boyfriend," Sara sighed.

"What about that Pierre . . . whatever his name was, from your research writing class, or whatever it was called," Ariadne asked as she blew on her coffee to cool it.

"Glad you listen so well when I talk to you," Sara grumbled.

"I'm sorry-" Ariadne began to apologize.

Sara just smiled. "I'm kidding, it's okay. I'm not the best with details, as my thesis supervisor keeps reminding me." Sara rolled her eyes now and Ariadne smiled apologetically. "Anyway, Pierre was a total pervert. We went on one date and he didn't even wait for us to finish dinner before he was trying to get under my skirt."

"Like literally . . .?" Ariadne asked trailing off.

"Oh ya! We're in this classy little restaurant and he was sitting beside me in the booth, which I thought was weird to begin with, I like space. Anyway, before I know it his hand is trailing under my skirt, and not in a flirty sort of way either, he was all business!"

"How did I not know about this until now?" Ariadne cried as she leaned across the table towards Sara. "That sounds humiliating!"

"Oh it was! I ended up stabbing him with a fork, he was fine, but I totally ran out on him. I mean, I don't mind things going fast, but come on we hadn't even left the restaurant yet and it was a first date," Sara informed her friend.

"I'm so sorry, how awful! We really do need to catch up more often. I can't believe only just hearing about this now!" Ariadne exclaimed.

"But enough about my problems! I'm tired of thinking about them, let's get back to your issues."

"My issues?" Ariadne asked as she finally took a sip of her coffee.

"Yes, besides Arthur just up and leaving without warning this morning, how are things really going between you two?" Ariadne smiled. "And leave nothing out," Sara added firmly.

Ariadne chuckled and shook her head. "Things have actually been going really well. The past several months have been great; I've really gotten to know Arthur. I mean, there's so much more to him than I first thought. He's really easy-going once you get to know him and we can joke around with each other . . ." Ariadne trailed off.

"But . . ." Sara prompted.

"But, I still don't know much about him. I mean, I've offered him cute and embarrassing little anecdotes from my childhood, but I don't know anything about his family, or his childhood for that matter. I couldn't tell you if he has any siblings. Also, he's still just living out of a hotel room!" Ariadne growled the last part, causing a few of the nearby coffee drinkers to glance in the girl's direction.

"I've brought up the idea of him actually trying to find a more permanent place here, but he kind of just brushes it off. I mean, I think he's committed to our relationship, but I just feel like if he actually at least rented a place here, had a more permanent resident, it'd feel more like he was. Does that make any sense?" Ariadne asked her friend who was nodding.

"I totally get it. It's not that you need him to rent a place here, but it'd be nice for him to show you with a more permanent physical action that he is actually committed to this for the long term," Sara offered.

"Exactly! I've been hesitant to push the issue though, because I don't want to be the crazy badgering girlfriend but I mean, shouldn't I be able to talk to him about all this. Shouldn't I be able to tell him my feelings?"

"Being able to share thoughts and feelings with the person you care most about in this world sounds pretty reasonable to me," Sara declared. Ariadne nodded her head glumly.

"So, I guess I should talk to him about all this when he gets back, huh?" Ariadne asked.

"Well you could do it through text messaging, but that's kind of lame," Sara informed her friend. Ariadne tossed a napkin at the girl.

"Hey!" Sara cried as she blocked the attack. Ariadne laughed.

"I might actually consider texting him, if my phone wasn't acting weird," Ariadne said with a sigh.

"What do you mean weird?" Sara asked.

"I don't know, just after Arthur left this morning it's been running all slow and I didn't even get your 'good morning wake-up' message until nearly two hours after you sent it to me," Ariadne sighed again. "Why did my phone have to start acting up just when my tech-savvy boyfriend leaves the country?"

Sara laughed. "Yeah, rotten luck, but you could always contact your cell phone provider if the problem continues."

Ariadne nodded. "I'll wait and see how long Arthur's going to be, but I might just have to do that, because my phone is like my life-line. It has all my important meetings and even school notes on it." Sara nodded her head in understanding. A comfortable silence then set in and the girls just sipped their drinks quietly enjoying the warm breeze that ruffled their clothes and hair.

Finally, as Sara downed the last of her coffee she fixed a serious expression onto her face and turned her attention back to Ariadne. "Unfortunately, I have to get going; but honestly, Ariadne, you can't be afraid to tell Arthur what's really on your mind. If it turns out he does walk away from you for it, then it's probably better that you get out of the relationship sooner rather than later anyway," Sara advised as she clutched her friends hands firmly in her own now.

Ariadne nodded, "you're right."

"You'll have to call me after the big confession and let me know how goes! Also, be sure to find out specifically if Arthur has any single brothers, preferably an identical twin, but I'm not really picky!" Sara babbled exuberantly, back to her more bubbly self. Ariadne laughed, tossing another napkin at her friend who grabbed her wet stir stick to try and fend off the attack.

Note: Well a short, slow start, but I think it sets things up nicely. Please review!